A new beginning

[albinosage]

Your atlantic blue tang is very nice!

Just got your new camera? That's a large update after such a long period of silence in this thread hahaha.

[wilsontantw]

Beautiful tangs and very nice mushroom! I was just reading on dragonets this afternoon... what does your mandarin feed on?

normal tangs bro... i like the ABT, for the fact it's still morphing... can't wait for it to turn fully blue! Actually i prefer the body patterns/shape/colouration of the yellow-eyed kole.

but only managed to get some blur shots like this:

mushies, are easy... plus for lazy reefers like me... haha... very good buys.

Anyway, my mandarin feeds on copepods... i think haha... coz i'm very sure it doesn't eat pellets. When i first bought, it's got a 'flat' tummy... barely 1 month, i can see the tummy bloat up... so i think it should be getting enough food.

Btw: i do have some 'chaeto' courtesy of bro iskay... not sure if that helps...

[wilsontantw]

Your atlantic blue tang is very nice!

Just got your new camera? That's a large update after such a long period of silence in this thread hahaha.

haha... i got the camera abt 2 months back... took a few pictures... but too lazy to upload and select pictures...

gotta spend time playing with my boy now... dun wanna miss this growing up phase...

agree, it's quite an update after a long period... but i've been very disciplined! Not spending anything at all...

The ABT, i think is still morphing (dunno how long is it going to take)... but hopefully i can get a new tank for them soon.

[peacemaker]

Yes, I have read that a refugium with copepod "factories" do help in providing a constant food supply for them. It'll be a bonus if you can train it to feed on brine or mysis shrimp, both live or frozen, just in case pod supplies run out.

[iskay]

Nice refreshing update. Been busy with your other hobbies?

[wilsontantw]

Nice refreshing update. Been busy with your other hobbies?

busy with responsibilities actually. Was hoping i will have some time to go LFSing... but guess that has to wait for awhile.

am still battling my nudi problems, which is why updates have no macros on zoas... hehe.

[iskay]

Make the best out of any situation. Take some macro shots of the nudis.

[wilsontantw]

Make the best out of any situation. Take some macro shots of the nudis.

wow... thanks for the encouragement... this kinda speaks to me right now.

must really make the best out of the situation.. else it's just a waste of time, might as well don't do it!

Thanks so much bro!

that's the best i can do with the stock lens... am still thinking of what's the next lens to get... (was contemplating a 50mm f1.4) wat do u think? Macro lens... dunno which one to get yet... any suggestions?

how abt u?? any updates so far?

[Eniram]

?!?!!? thursday?!?! hello... weekdays are work days for me bro...

told you to get the tunze from Simon already... i'm very sure you need it.

give him a call for special price... hopefully it's still available.

if you want, maybe next sat early morning like 8am! if you on... hehe...

Hahahahaha! hee hee can la during lunch speed down to the farm....i promise not to tell..... anway i think simon's tunze all sold off already the last i check on pasar malam.

Wanna try new gadget if you know what i'm thinking....... this saturday or do you mean this coming saturday 18th? I'm ON!!! and i'm off too so we can take a look but i don't think they are open so early you know?

And also you're photogarphy skills are getting better ah..clear, focus and nice keep it up!

[mr_xxx]

that's the best i can do with the stock lens... am still thinking of what's the next lens to get... (was contemplating a 50mm f1.4) wat do u think? Macro lens... dunno which one to get yet... any suggestions?

currently, i'm using Tamron SP90 & happy with the pic..... maybe u can consider this lens...

[kueytoc]

Yeah GO for it mate. Fantastic LENs !!!...Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro

currently, i'm using Tamron SP90 & happy with the pic..... maybe u can consider this lens...

[mitlancer]

Yeah GO for it mate. Fantastic LENs !!!...Tamron SP 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro

Bro how much u paid for this Tamron S90? I just emailed MS Scan and was quoted ard $540 with GST. Dun mind you pm me so i have a rough guage on the price if being quoted too high.

Thanks....

[iskay]

wow... thanks for the encouragement... this kinda speaks to me right now.

must really make the best out of the situation.. else it's just a waste of time, might as well don't do it!

Thanks so much bro!

that's the best i can do with the stock lens... am still thinking of what's the next lens to get... (was contemplating a 50mm f1.4) wat do u think? Macro lens... dunno which one to get yet... any suggestions?

how abt u?? any updates so far?

Unless you are considering to switch profession to photography, My own belief is that 2 lens is good enough - One for wide-angles and another for telephoto.

I personally only have 3: canon stock 18-55, Sigma 18-50 F2.8, and Sigma 70-300.

50mm F1.4 prime will give you nice shots for normal everyday situations and will take good photos in low light. I hate changing lens so I make do with my Sigma for such situations. I was able to get good focus and exposure on fireworks with my 18-50 sigma hand held!

From a lens brand point of view, besides original manufacturer, I prefer Sigma over Tamron or Tokina. Tamron lens are ok and not too heavy but I find Sigma lens faster. Tokina's are too heavy and slow in my opinion.

On the reefing front, my 9G is serving me well. I can't 'chiong' shipments like others as tank too small so relies mostly on frags from fellow reefers.

[mr_xxx]

Unless you are considering to switch profession to photography, My own belief is that 2 lens is good enough - One for wide-angles and another for telephoto.

I personally only have 3: canon stock 18-55, Sigma 18-50 F2.8, and Sigma 70-300.

50mm F1.4 prime will give you nice shots for normal everyday situations and will take good photos in low light. I hate changing lens so I make do with my Sigma for such situations. I was able to get good focus and exposure on fireworks with my 18-50 sigma hand held!

From a lens brand point of view, besides original manufacturer, I prefer Sigma over Tamron or Tokina. Tamron lens are ok and not too heavy but I find Sigma lens faster. Tokina's are too heavy and slow in my opinion.

On the reefing front, my 9G is serving me well. I can't 'chiong' shipments like others as tank too small so relies mostly on frags from fellow reefers.

actually for lens.... it's up to individual perceptions.... maybe u like Sigma but it is your own opinion.... one thing i notice abt Sigma... the paint on the lens body will easily peel off......

[iskay]

actually for lens.... it's up to individual perceptions.... maybe u like Sigma but it is your own opinion.... one thing i notice abt Sigma... the paint on the lens body will easily peel off......

You're right, everybody's entitled to their own opinion and I had expressed mine. It's up to the readers to derive their own conclusions. In no means am I promoting any product. This is why I also gave my opinion on the lens that Wilson is enquiring about.

My needs were - minimize lens changes, takes good photos in low light situation when needed, and have a good range of telephoto. The 2 lens I own served my needs but might not serve other people's. I don't really mind that the lens body's paint peels off as it's not part of my needs.

[comycus]

Think we are on the right track here, camera brands and lens are v. personal preferences. I'm more inclined to primes than zoom lenses. Still feel primes are sharper and faster. Of course changing lenses are a chore, but I find the more I shoot, the more I tend to shoot at fixed focal lengths (which are often the 2 extremes of a zoom lens) The in between shots are normally when I'm lazy and am just don't want to take that extra step forward or back

So, the Tammy 90mm already comes highly recommended for macro photography, and looking at the beautiful shots taken by the bros here recommending it, I must say I'm convinced too! Maybe will bite the bullet once my wallet recovers from my recent splurges for my new tank...

Of course, its the photographer's skill in both reefing and photography that creates these shots. Maybe we could have a mini 'photography' forum to help bros here polish up our photography skills. What better than to show off tt brillant fluorescence from your Acropora or Zoas you have been wanting to capture and share with us!

[wilsontantw]

hi iskay, mr xxx, kueytoc and comycus

thanks for all your very constructive suggestions.

i'm torn between the 3 types of lense. Actually it's my wallet that makes it so difficult to decide. haha.

my sister's bf just bought a zoom lens (can't remember the range), but i know he paid like 1.6K for it! (Faint!!!)

So i guess i will get the 50mm f1.4 or f1.8, then we can exchange lens. i think i will skip the macro for now, coz i believe i'll shoot more of my baby boy than marine tank.

Does anyone has a 2nd hand 50mm to sell?? haha.

I'm glad we all feel that we should share all our opinions, pros and cons... each of us experience varying issues (pros and cons) that others may not have gone through, so we should keep this going.

It's only through sharing unreservedly that newbies (like me and many others out there) get to learn more from you, the experts.

Eventually, having good equipment is one thing, the man behind the lens (skills/knowledge) is another. If the man dunno how to frame/compose a shot or 'capture the moment', having the best equipment is ........

Most importantly, and i hope the admin guys are listening, agree with bro comycus that we should start a thread/mini form to talk share about lenses/filters/ other equipment used in marine photography.

This will allow everyone here to better 'showcase' our hobby and possibly attract more followers.

[iskay]

Hi Wilson,

1.6K for a lens is not too much. A Canon 24-70 2.8 USM canon list price is S$2699. My Sigma 18-50 f2.8 costs about S$650 when bought in HKG. At that time it was S$850 here in SG. Invest in a good lens and you'll reap results. You can scour for 2nd hands in the photography forums like Clubsnap or visit the shops Peninsula Plaza but you'll need to be able to spot problems and defects as 2nd hand normally don't have warranty. If you buy from certain shops in Peninsula Plaza, they give you their own warranty for 2nd hands. I'd rather settle for a middle line firsthand, really.

You can check out Canon lens list price here, It'll give you a gauge on how much to pay: http://www.canon.com.sg/section/digitalcam..._specs.jsp#zoom

You'll pay less if buying from retailers. I've not heard of anyone able to bargain with Canon directly.

For taking photo of kids, I recommend a fast zoom lens. You want to be able to take sharp photos and not having the need to run after the kids (at least not that much). The $2K+ canon lens is good for that... hahaha. Do your research. The net has tons of reviews on lens of similar specs from different manufacturers. Go down to the shops to test the lens yourself.

hi iskay, mr xxx, kueytoc and comycus

thanks for all your very constructive suggestions.

i'm torn between the 3 types of lense. Actually it's my wallet that makes it so difficult to decide. haha.

my sister's bf just bought a zoom lens (can't remember the range), but i know he paid like 1.6K for it! (Faint!!!)

So i guess i will get the 50mm f1.4 or f1.8, then we can exchange lens. i think i will skip the macro for now, coz i believe i'll shoot more of my baby boy than marine tank.

Does anyone has a 2nd hand 50mm to sell?? haha.

I'm glad we all feel that we should share all our opinions, pros and cons... each of us experience varying issues (pros and cons) that others may not have gone through, so we should keep this going.

It's only through sharing unreservedly that newbies (like me and many others out there) get to learn more from you, the experts.

Eventually, having good equipment is one thing, the man behind the lens (skills/knowledge) is another. If the man dunno how to frame/compose a shot or 'capture the moment', having the best equipment is ........

Most importantly, and i hope the admin guys are listening, agree with bro comycus that we should start a thread/mini form to talk share about lenses/filters/ other equipment used in marine photography.

This will allow everyone here to better 'showcase' our hobby and possibly attract more followers.

[comycus]

i'm torn between the 3 types of lense. Actually it's my wallet that makes it so difficult to decide. haha.

yeah tt's always the case for me too!

So i guess i will get the 50mm f1.4 or f1.8, then we can exchange lens. i think i will skip the macro for now, coz i believe i'll shoot more of my baby boy than marine tank.

The 50mm f1.8 usually is a favourite amongst us amateurs who don't need that extra 2/3 stops. Extremely good value for money! think its just alittle over $100. I was thinking... has anyone tried using the Raynox dcr-250 mounted on a 50mm prime for shooting corals? If it works, that would be great! I think Mcgill brings them in. Can check out their website for more details.

For taking photo of kids, I recommend a fast zoom lens. You want to be able to take sharp photos and not having the need to run after the kids (at least not that much). The $2K+ canon lens is good for that... hahaha. Do your research. The net has tons of reviews on lens of similar specs from different manufacturers. Go down to the shops to test the lens yourself.

I have to agree with iskay that when taking photos of kids, you probably want a fast zoom lens because they run around all the time. I know iskay prefers Sigma, an excellent alternative is the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8. Again, alot of reviews out there to educate us, and testing the lens personally is v. impt, especially for 3rd party lens. QC normally is not as good.

[wilsontantw]

Some new corals... taken 5 mins after introducing into tank.

New shroom... green with orange + blue spots. Should be quite nice once it fully opens up.

New single coloured prata (deep orange) + new metallic orange shrooms (favourite shrooms now)

[iskay]

Wah, still have space for new arrivals. The old ones give me leh~.

The metallic orange ones would look nice one opened.

[wilsontantw]

Wah, still have space for new arrivals. The old ones give me leh~.

The metallic orange ones would look nice one opened.

managed to clear some space... i think the orange one is my 'buy-of-the-day'. If all goes well, i should be trading 1 or 2 pieces once they stabilise.

i've got a lobo that is taking up too much space, you interested? hahaa....

i think i'll be giving away or selling zoas at a low low price soon. will let u know bro.

btw: im still interested in ur 'spy cam'?? interested to barter?

[yikai]

wow very nice orange shrooms! good buy.

[iskay]

managed to clear some space... i think the orange one is my 'buy-of-the-day'. If all goes well, i should be trading 1 or 2 pieces once they stabilise.

i've got a lobo that is taking up too much space, you interested? hahaa....

i think i'll be giving away or selling zoas at a low low price soon. will let u know bro.

btw: im still interested in ur 'spy cam'?? interested to barter?

Any time, man. It's been sitting in the cabinet doing nothing. I think your lobo will fill up 1/4 of my tank. LOL

[wilsontantw]

To commemorate the 1,000th post of my thread...

FTS - taken on National Day, 9 August 2009.

Thanks guys/gals for your constructive comments and criticisms... and now, to more good years...